Painting and Culture of the Mongols

Ipsiroglu, M.S.

New York: Harry N. Abrams, 1966. Hardcover. Tan cloth boards with brown embossed lettering, white illustrated dust jacket with black and red lettering, 112 pp., bw and color illustrations throughout. G+/G (book shows minor age toning along textblock, previous owner's nameplate on front page, all pages clear and intact - dust jacket has protective mylar cover that is torn and mended with scotch tape, while dust jacket itself shows veryminimal wear). Item #181804

"The popular Western image of the Mongols, created centuries ago when Europe was plagued by Mongolian invasions, is even today one of wild and warlike hordes from the Steppes. Sober research shows us that while at times the Mongols were nomadic tribesmen, at other times they were a highly organized imperial state - a dynamic force in world history. Mongol art is astonishingly fresh and vivid. Nourished in many places - the Far East, Central Asia, and Asia Minor - it yet manages to be independent and lively art of rare appeal. Its historical importance is great, for it was the first to treat the highly developed literature of the Near East - especially religious themes (such as Mohammed's journey to Heaven), the representation of which was long under ban - and laid the foundations for Islamic illuminated manuscripts. Rich in a varied traditional folklore, the Mongols painted animals, demons, and legendary characters with great humor and delightful artistry. These, plus superb religious paintings and vigorous depictions of daily life, are captured in the many colorplates and black and white illustrations. The text is by M.S. Ipsiroglu, who has published a number of works on Near Eastern art, and who, since 1946, has held the chair for Art History and Aestehtics at the University of Istanbul. The author traces the development of Mongolian culture and art, and provides the reader with an exursion into a colorful, lively, and enjoyable regional art." - dust jacket description.